Mario Andretti
Retired Racing Icon. One of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport
World Champion race car driver. Mario Andretti is often referred to as the greatest race car driver of all time, having proven himself a winner at all levels of competition. Mario’s skilled and versatile driving has produced some of racing history’s most legendary accomplishments. Mario’s love of cars and the sport began at an early…
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Full Bio
World Champion race car driver. Mario Andretti is often referred to as the greatest race car driver of all time, having proven himself a winner at all levels of competition. Mario’s skilled and versatile driving has produced some of racing history’s most legendary accomplishments.
Mario’s love of cars and the sport began at an early age in his native Italy, when he saw the great Alberto Ascari race at Monza. Influenced by this legendary driver, Andretti began his own racing career with his twin brother Aldo, at the age of 19, in 1959 in Nazareth, soon after he and his family emigrated to the United States and discovered a dirt track, virtually in their back yard.
Mario’s celebrated win in the Indianapolis 500 came in 1969. He led a total of 116 laps and established 15 of 20 new records set during that event. Mario scored a total of nine wins and five pole positions that season and went on to win his third national Champ Car title. He ended the decade with a total of 30 victories and 29 poles out of 111 Champ Car starts.
Even though officially retired, Mario continued the next few years to seek the one major trophy missing from his mantle. He competed eight times in the world’s most prestigious endurance race, the 24 Hours of LeMans, finishing as high as second in 1995.
Today Mario is a successful businessman off the track and serves as spokesman, associate and friend to top executives around the world. His legacy continues with the Andretti Winery in Napa Valley, the Mario Andretti Racing School in Las Vegas, four car dealerships, a petroleum business, two books about his life, the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games facility near Atlanta and an IMAX movie.
Mario Andretti is often referred to as the greatest race car driver of all time, having proven himself a winner at all levels of competition. Mario’s skilled and versatile driving has produced some of racing history’s most legendary accomplishments.
Mario’s love of cars and the sport began at an early age in his native Italy, when he saw the great Alberto Ascari race at Monza. Influenced by this legendary driver, Andretti began his own racing career with his twin brother Aldo, at the age of 19, in 1959 in Nazareth, soon after he and his family emigrated to the United States and discovered a dirt track, virtually in their back yard.
Mario’s celebrated win in the Indianapolis 500 came in 1969. He led a total of 116 laps and established 15 of 20 new records set during that event. Mario scored a total of nine wins and five pole positions that season and went on to win his third national Champ Car title. He ended the decade with a total of 30 victories and 29 poles out of 111 Champ Car starts.
Even though officially retired, Mario continued the next few years to seek the one major trophy missing from his mantle. He competed eight times in the world’s most prestigious endurance race, the 24 Hours of LeMans, finishing as high as second in 1995.
Today Mario is a successful businessman off the track and serves as spokesman, associate and friend to top executives around the world. His legacy continues with the Andretti Winery in Napa Valley, the Mario Andretti Racing School in Las Vegas, four car dealerships, a petroleum business, two books about his life, the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games facility near Atlanta and an IMAX movie.
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Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Mario Andretti Story
His speeches center around four main points around racing and his personal history, which inspire attendees to overcome obstacles, persevere, and be more adaptable to change.
Mario grew up in a refugee camp in Italy under communist rule, till he was 15. This portion focuses on how you can become a victim or victor. His idol was Alberto Ascari. He used to climb and peer through fences to see him race. (Choosing to be a victim or victor)
The second portion of his speech is when he moves to America, and he doesn’t even speak English. He and his twin brother Aldo both had the same dream to become successful race car drivers. However, his brother had a terrible accident and was in a coma for 84 days, and never was able to live his dream. However, Mario was able to help his brother with his own success. (Overcoming Obstacles)
Mario began his now famous racing career in Indy and Formula One Racing. Mario talks about his rise to success, and how he was able to go back to the same where he watched Alberto Ascari as a child, and win. (How to Achieve Success, Perseverence)
Now, how he changed and adapts to retirement from racing and is following another dream, as he has founded his own winery. He talks about his family, and how to enjoy and seek out change (Adapting to Change)
Racing Towards Greatness
Videos
Legends of F1 - Mario Andretti
Books
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